10:26:00

Rotherham's summer signings: The verdict so far

With 16 games of the season gone, we are now over a third of the way through the campaign.

It goes without saying that things have not gone too well for the Millers as they head into the third international break in dire straits, having picked up one point from the last 18 and sit five points adrift from safety.

So, with plenty of action to judge them on, It’s Millers Time offers a verdict so far on the 15 players who came to the club before the end of the summer transfer window.

Kelle Roos

The rookie goalkeeper arrived on a season-long youth loan from Derby with high-praise from then-boss Steve Evans, but his stay at the club was an unmitigated disaster. After conceding four on his debut, it got no better for the Dutchman and he was jettisoned out of the side after just five appearances. He was sent back to the Rams on transfer deadline day, with the Millers reported to be still paying his wages.

Verdict: FAILURE

Lee Camp

Camp was brought in after Adam Collin failed to impress as Roos’ replacement and it was soon clear that he possessed all the qualities that the Dutchman lacked. Although being overworked to the point of conceding 19 goals in 11 appearances he has been a solid presence in net, with many top class saves. His one match to forget saw poor handling gift Sheffield Wednesday two goals but the Millers’ goal difference would be a lot worse had it not been for him.

Verdict: SUCCESS

Lewis Buxton

Signed from Sheffield Wednesday, Buxton came highly rated but had his pre-season ruined by an injury. He returned for the second game of the season at Nottingham Forest and went on to make 15 straight starts as he looked like making the right-back position his own. However, over the last couple of weeks his form dipped, looking off the pace, and was replaced by Frazer Richardson.

Verdict: JURY'S OUT

Joe Mattock

Another ex-Wednesday signing, Mattock has been hampered by injuries, missing much of pre-season and has been restricted to nine appearances which have seen him come in and out of the side. He's currently out of the reckoning, though if it is through injury then it's been kept quiet. He has been consistent when in the team.

Verdict: SUCCESS

Danny Collins

Collins came to the Millers as the experienced defender they had been crying out for having been there and done it. He had an impressive pre-season and has been among the first names on the teamsheet in the opening third of the campaign, taking over the captaincy from Greg Halford in Lee Frecklington's absence. However, he has been inconsistent, looking solid at times and also making several mistakes, being an ever-present in a defence which has conceded a divisional worst 33 goals.

Verdict: FAILURE

Greg Halford

Halford's signing encapsulates everything that was bad about Steve Evans' reign as Rotherham manager - a marquee signing on big money failing to deliver. He was dropped and stripped of the captaincy after a woeful start in central defence, took to Twitter to complain of his plight and has since claimed to have been the victim of broken promises. Currently injured, but surely on the way out?

Verdict: FAILURE

Farrend Rawson

Back at the Millers for a second spell after being the "ineligible player" last term, Rawson missed the first part of the season through injury but made it into the team for mid-September. There has been the odd poor performance thrown in among some very accomplished ones and there's no doubting that he has a bright future in the game.

Verdict: SUCCESS

Tom Thorpe

With a Manchester United pedigree, hopes were high that the Millers had made a real coup in signing Thorpe, especially after a superb pre-season. But he was quickly found wanting in central defence and spent time out of the side before making a comeback as a holding midfielder, where he put some impressive performances in. He's still too inconsistent, but the hope is that he will still come good.

Verdict: JURY'S OUT

Grant Ward

The on-loan Spurs midfielder
was another one who had a superb pre-season with his box-to-box athleticism and
goalscoring prowess giving plenty of hope that the Millers had found a future
star. However, he has, in the main, struggled with the physicality and fast
pace of the Championship, though has been a recent starter under Redfearn.

Verdict: FAILURE

Aidy White

Signed as an exciting
replacement for Ben Pringle and another who looked so good in pre-season, White
has been one of the biggest disappointments of the summer recruits. Looking
weak and unable to affect the game, the former Leeds man has made just three
starts and might end up getting let go by Redfearn for the second time in six
months.

Verdict: FAILURE

Emmanuel Ledesma

A six-month chase for the Argentinian, who had enjoyed a loan spell with the Millers last season, finally ended in the summer and he was expected to be a big part of the side. However,
he struggled to get under Evans and has only featured in Redfearn’s
first game from the bench. A strong contender to be shipped out.

Verdict: FAILURE

Chris Maguire

The third and final ex-Owls
man came to the Millers with the big kick-off just a week away, but with no
pre-season under his belt he has struggled to make an impact. Although making
15 appearances, eight of them have been from the bench, where he has done
little to alter the game.

Verdict: FAILURE

Joe Newell

The former Peterborough man
has to be classed as one of Evans’ best moves in the transfer market. He
arrived for fee, again a week before the season, and has been one of the
Millers’ brightest sparks. He offers a creativity lacking from most other areas
on the pitch, with his ability to see a pass and also beat players. Suffered a
recent dip due to injury, but remains a key man.

Verdict: SUCCESS

Vadis Ojidja-Ofoe

Having passed the audition
when Norwich came to New York in the League Cup in August, the Belgian arrived
on a loan spell on deadline day and made a massive difference in his four games
at the club. Offering a threat and presence in attack, Ojidja-Ofoe scored once,
a penalty against Cardiff, before going back to Carrow Road prematurely to fight for a
place there.

Verdict: SUCCESS

Tony Andreu

Coming on the same day as
Ojidja-Ofoe, but on a longer deal, the Frenchman has not been able to have the
same impact as his Norwich team-mate and has fallen in and out of the side. His
quality is obvious, with an eye for a pass and tight control of the ball, but he
perhaps does not work hard enough and could be considered a luxury player.